Rimini: Emilia-Romagna heart of European research, conference on the S3 strategy, with over 500 delegates from all over Europe

The aim of the two-day event at the PalaCongressi is to discuss policies and practices in the technological, sustainable and solidarity fields, through the sharing of experiences and tools and in favour of the communities involved. Bologna – Emilia-Romagna, the European heart of innovation and research. In fact, the event ends in Rimini European Conference on Smart Specialization Strategy S3, dedicated to the tool that the Regions and member countries of the EU have adopted since 2014 to define objectives, priorities and actions capable of maximising future investments and projects.

Over 500 delegates present at the PalaCongressi and coming from all over Europe: professionals, experts, policy makers and stakeholders, gathered to discuss policies and best practices in particular in the fields of technological development, green, digital, energy and manufacturing. The S3 Conference was mainly structured around three pillars: the planning and implementation of the strategy, collaboration between regions and territories through the sharing of experiences and tools for the sustainable and equitable development of the communities concerned and, finally, the connection between the regional innovation valleys.

“It is an honor and a source of pride for Emilia-Romagna to host an event of such importance, a worthy conclusion to a legislature that has immediately placed Europe at the center of its policies. Our Region as one of the beating hearts of innovation and research, one of the most advanced and dynamic territories able to compete with the rest of the world – underlines theCouncilor for Economic Development, Vincenzo Colla -. Without Europe, there is no future and Emilia-Romagna confirms its European vocation by investing and committing all EU funds like no other in our country.

Digital, attractiveness, sustainability and solidarity are the development axes along which we have directed the policies of these five years and I'm sure we will continue to do so in the next ones, starting fromstrategic importance of our Data Valley which represents an undisputed point of reference and strength for Italy at an international level". The organization of the two days included both moments of discussion in plenary, as well as spaces for laboratory comparison between participants organized in groups.

S3 Strategy in Emilia-Romagna

Almost 7 thousand projects financed for 2,3 billion euros. The Emilia-Romagna Region has identified the Smart Specialization Strategy, approved at the end of June 2021, as the reference document for the research and innovation activities of its region in all its strategic programs and calls for proposals derived from them. A shared vision of the future, the result of a broad discussion with the territorial representatives of the Pact for Work and Climate and of the discussion in the Legislative Assembly. Research, innovation and skills are the strategic levers of change, for sustainable and inclusive development.

Furthermore, Emilia-Romagna has recently been awarded the Regional Innovation Valley label by the European Commission, thanks to the constant commitment of the Emilia-Romagna system to participate in European programs that invest in innovation, in synergy with other regions and countries, and to the work carried out on ecosystems. To date, 6.902 projects have been financed in total – for an investment of 2,3 billion euros and a contribution of 1,8 billion – and 5.103 are financed directly by the Region (for an investment of 1,2 billion and a contribution of 720 million). Looking at the totality of the different levels of funding, the most funded industrial specialization in terms of number of projects is Innovation in services, digital transformation and logistics, followed by Energy and sustainable development. All investments that have created a significant amount of good work.